When I went past Kirkdale last night there did look to be less 777s there than there have been.It looks like they have swapped some unit / units around overnight between Warrington Walton Old and Kirkdale Depot.
They were meant to be being held at the factory until there is stabling capacity to accept more here, but that can only happen once the ones at Kirkdale and the ones at Warrington Old sidings have entered service and a large batch of 508s can be scrapped.And what has happened to the other 777's due to arrive here?
It was a PR/photoshoot event and not open to the public.What I want to know now is, I was just told at Birkdale station that there has been a 777 on display at Hooton for members of the public to walk around, but I don’t know anything else about this.
What's the point of all the driving around at night if not to train the crews?Entry into service is now unlikely before the end of the year. Mileage accumulation runs are taking place and ORR approval of the 777s has been received. Negotiations with the RMT about the future role of guards is continuing. After that, ASLEF will be involved in negotiations. Once agreements are reached crew training can start.
There was an arrangement made for 14 x Class 507 to remain in use during peak periods until Network Rail have completed some track and signalling alterations. As of last March that was thought to be about 2 years hence but that was an approximate estimate subject to the rate of progress.
Isn’t it to prove the reliability of the trains?What's the point of all the driving around at night if not to train the crews?
Yes, but surely the processes could happen together, each train need to be driven X miles to prove reliability, each driver needs to drive Y miles to prove competence. Rather than have depot staff drive them up and down, then once that's done have the regular drivers drive them up and down for training, instead if the regular drivers do the reliability testing as they learn to drive them.Isn’t it to prove the reliability of the trains?
I'd be interested to know how staff feel about these, as a driver I wouldn't like to go from driving something fairly decent to what is essentially a Tram.
You mean like BR's first generation DMUs and some EMUs used to have...And as for the see through screen between the public and the drivers cab
......good luck with that one!
Have you confused Stadler Metro and Tango?I'd be interested to know how staff feel about these, as a driver I wouldn't like to go from driving something fairly decent to what is essentially a Tram.
Yes, but surely the processes could happen together, each train need to be driven X miles to prove reliability, each driver needs to drive Y miles to prove competence. Rather than have depot staff drive them up and down, then once that's done have the regular drivers drive them up and down for training, instead if the regular drivers do the reliability testing as they learn to drive them.
Don’t see why “we will provide X drivers for testing” couldn’t be in the procurement contract.Sounds plausible but there are contractual and ownership reasons. Until each unit has passed the relevant miles reliability test the unit is still a Stadler unit and Stadler's (factory/build) problem. Not a good idea at all to start mixing different stages.
Plus the drivers terms and conditions for operating and training on the units are not yet sorted and waiting on whatever is happening re the guards.
I expect that the majority of drivers will see the new trains as a significant upgrade, as they'll be getting a much more modern and comfortable unit to work with.I'd be interested to know how staff feel about these, as a driver I wouldn't like to go from driving something fairly decent to what is essentially a Tram. And as for the see through screen between the public and the drivers cab
......good luck with that one!
When they've accumulated enough miles, and crewing has been agreed, and crews trained.When are they actually going into passenger service ?
777010 has now accumulated enough miles to enter service and 777008 isn’t far off. 777014 may be the next unit to run in daytime. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the earlier units to be tested e.g. 777003 may also be ready.When they've accumulated enough miles, and crewing has been agreed, and crews trained.
777010 has now accumulated enough miles to enter service and 777008 isn’t far off. 777014 may be the next unit to run in daytime. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the earlier units to be tested e.g. 777003 may also be ready.
Have there been any discussions with unions that will allow their introduction to proceed this year?
317's were left languishing for over a year while BR and unions sorted out DOO agreements.Has there ever been a rolling stock procurement as long as this? The whole process must've been going on for a decade or so now. We may as well start tentively planning the 777's replacement at this rate.
Steve Rotherham is hopeful they will get one in use by end of the year although seems more interested in talking about the battery option but not much use if the trains aren't in service.Theres pretty much not a hope in hell there will be one in passenger service this year.
Bosses admit the scheme is taking much longer than they wanted but are hopeful they can get the £500m service on track to begin operating by the end of the year.
Steve Rotherham is hopeful they will get one in use by end of the year although seems more interested in talking about the battery option but not much use if the trains aren't in service.
Agree the battery option has alot of potential and got to give them credit of having a vision about how they can deploy them to improve journey opportunities.Likely because there are union discussions ongoing so it'd be a bad idea to prejudice them by flapping his mouthparts to the press. The battery stuff is an easy win, and is getting plenty of attention from other bits of the industry, it really could be a game changer in terms of expanding local networks.